Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: slzy on June 01, 2007, 06:52:10 PM
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would a feral cat eating a dead or dying rabid bat be likely to be infected?
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Its been awhile since my Virology class, but I think there may be a risk of infection. The virus particles in an infected animal may be found in the saliva, blood and nerves. I don't know if the virus can cross an intact mucus membrane such as that found in the mouth and GI tract. Wikipedia does list transplants and even kisses as a means of transmission in humans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies
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Very possibly yes.
The cat would have to have an open wound or sore on it that came into contact with infected fluid, but with a feral cat that's not out of the question.
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i found a bat in the basement,my son picked him up in a towel and put him in a bush. then,i read how a rabid bat [or anything else] might act. fit the profile. i'll call animal control in the morning.
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If my memory serves me from my public health days, the interface between teeth and gums is considered and has shown to be a potential portal of entry. I'm not remembering about whether stomach acid neutralizes rabies, but abrasions, lesions etc within the alimentary canal cannot be excluded as possibilities as well. The cat will have to be quarantined. Public health might want to examine the brain tissue of the bat. It was not good to use a towel because it is absorbant. It should be properly disposed as in incinerated. Public Health or Animal Control might do that for you. Wear gloves. If any tools were used like a shovel or something, they should be sanitized using a strong bleach solution. Your son might have to undergo shots as a precaution. This can be avoided if the bat can be found and tested to be negative. Although the bat might be damaged or ill with something else, since bats are known carriers, you have to play worst case scenario to protect your son. A less remote possibility is secondary contact by family members with your cat who might be infected. Be careful, best wishes.
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a feral cat
It is a feral cat. Just shoot the cat and have it tested. Don't use a headshot, though.
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Use real bleach to sanitize also. Not the color safe stuff sold these days to wash whites.
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9 parts water to one part chlorine bleach.